On the Hills of Manchuria

"On the hills of Manchuria" (Russian: На сопках Маньчжурии, Na sopkah Manchzhurii) is a haunting waltz composed in 1906 by Ilya Alekseevich Shatrov, a military musician who served in the Russo-Japanese War, while the lyrics are the work of the poet Stepan Petrov, better known by the pen-name of Skitalets.

It refers to the Battle of Mukden, the final land battle of the Russo-Japanese War where the Russian army was decisively routed by the Japanese. The original lyrics are about fallen soldiers lying in their graves in Manchuria, but alternative lyrics were written later, especially during Second World War.

“On the Hills of Manchuria” has become one of the most popular Russian songs, and has been transformed into urban folklore, with different versions coexisting with the original.

Lyrics

Russian

English translation

Тихо вокруг, сопки покрыты мглой, Вот из-за туч блеснула луна, Могилы хранят покой. Белеют кресты - это герои спят. Прошлого тени кружат давно, О жертвах боёв твердят. Плачет, плачет мать родная, Плачет молодая жена, Плачут все, как один человек, Злой рок и судьбу кляня! Тихо вокруг, ветер туман унёс, На сопках маньчжурских воины спят И русских не слышат слёз. Пусть гаолян вам навевает сны, Спите герои русской земли, Отчизны родной сыны. Плачет, плачет мать родная, Плачет молодая жена, Плачут все, как один человек, Злой рок и судьбу кляня! Вы пали за Русь, погибли вы за Отчизну, Поверьте, мы за вас отомстим И справим кровавую тризну!

Around us, it is calm; Hills are covered by mist, Suddenly, the moon shines through the clouds, Graves hold their calm. The white glow of the crosses — heroes are asleep. The shadows of the past circle around, Recalling the victims of battles. Dear mother is shedding tears, The young wife is weeping, All like one are crying, Cursing fate, cursing destiny! Around us, it’s calm; The wind blew the fog away, Warriors are asleep on the hills of Manchuria And they cannot hear the Russian tears. Let sorghum’s rustling lull you to sleep, Sleep in peace, heroes of the Russian land, Dear sons of the Fatherland. Dear mother is shedding tears, The young wife is weeping, All like one are crying, Cursing fate, cursing destiny! You fell for Russia, perished for Fatherland, Believe us, we shall avenge you And celebrate a bloody wake!

External links

• Na sopkah Manchzhurii on YouTube